New insights into the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among women of reproductive age in China

Anemia significantly impacts public health worldwide, as more than 571 million women are at risk of adverse health outcomes due to iron deficiency and other causes. This nationwide population-based study in China aims to estimate the prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age, explore geographic differences, and investigate the association between anemia and metabolic factors, especially overweight and obesity. The study used data from the Meinian Healthcare Group system, providing insight into the epidemiological characteristics of anemia and contributing to the development of targeted intervention strategies.

From 2019 to 2021, the prevalence of anemia in women worldwide showed minimal decline, with the prevalence increasing from 28.5% in 2013 to 29.9% in 2019. Anemia results from many conditions, including nutrient deficiencies and chronic infections. In China, the prevalence of anemia varies by demographic and geographic region, and the risk has been increasing since 2010. The study focuses on non-pregnant women aged 18-49, defining anemia as a hemoglobin concentration <120.0 g/l, corrected for altitude. The incidence of anemia was divided into mild, moderate and severe, and moderate and severe anemia were combined with moderate and worse.

The study found that the prevalence of general anemia was 15.8%, of which 41.5% were classified as moderate and severe. Anemia is more common in older women, with the highest incidence observed in women aged 40–44. Geographic variation in the prevalence of anemia is considerable, with the highest prevalence in Xizang and the lowest in Guizhou. The study also found a positive association between anemia and renal dysfunction and a history of cesarean section, while overweight and obesity were negatively associated with general anemia but positively associated with moderate and worse anemia. The findings suggest that metabolic factors play a role in the incidence of anemia, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment strategies for both anemia and metabolic disorders.

Limitations of the study include its focus on urban areas and lack of clinical documentation to identify anemia subtype. Despite these limitations, the study provides robust estimates of the prevalence of anemia and highlights the importance of considering geographic and metabolic factors in strategies to reduce anemia. The findings call for greater attention to anemia among women of reproductive age and suggest that managing metabolic risk factors may be crucial in reducing the burden of anemia.